Tag: Damion Smith

Winner is the first thing that comes to mind when you mention Damion Smith’s name. The 6’4” Redemption Academy (MA) wing went into the live period with something to prove. Not only to himself but to the people that doubted him. Smith’s a standout on the gridiron as well as the ninety four feet parquet and was once herald as the next best gem at La Lumiere School (IN), who has produced countless division one prospects.

Smith departed the school last September due to family illness; unhappy with his recruitment and how he was valued Smith decided to depart his long time AAU Team BABC and would join the Expressions Elite program. One goal was on his mind, which was to show the world that he belonged in the conversation as one of the top players in the 2014 class.

Fast-forward to July when Smith was showcased during the live period. Coaches loved him from start to finish and wondered where did he come from.

NBE Basketball Brian Bosworth “This is likely one of the last times Smith will be referred to as under the radar considering the number of college coaches who were impressed with him on Thursday. A 6’4” wing, Smith couldn’t be kept out of the paint all day as he drove the ball with both hands and finished from a variety of angles around the rim. Mid major and even some lower tier high major programs are sure to be on notice of Smith going forward.”

Mr. July currently holds offers from Umass, Marist, Robert Morris, Duquesne, UAB, with interest from Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Quinnipiac, Manhattan and much more. Smith plans to visit a few schools during the month of August.

2013 Standouts

Kuran Iverson, As other media outlets turned there backs on the once #2 player in the country Hoop Dreams Magazine stood by his side while crowning him the #1 player in New England in the class of 2013. Iverson can score with the best of them, while playing point forward keeps his teammates involved by consistently beating his defender off the dribble. Iverson’s jump shoot looked better and it also seems like he has visited the weight room, David Stern will know his name if he continues to improve.

Kamali Bey, One word can describe his play, Efficient. Bey once herald as one of the state of Massachusetts up and coming gems, was sidelined by an injury that held the star out of action for quite some time. Now back in action Bey showed why he was given that tag, scored the ball like he was playing horse with his little brother bucket after bucket. Whichever program lands Bey will be more then satisfied.

Andrew Chrabascz, we like to call him the glue. He makes it work no matter the situation, back to the basket, or slashing down the lane for a two-hand dunk. Chrabascz has the tools to play at any level because of his will to compete. Has developed a mid range game as of lately.

Kahil Dukes, the sharp shooter is a volume shooter, but is also a shot maker. Showed his point guard skills by keeping his team involved while taking over when the time was needed. Dukes plan to have a top 5 by August and plans to decide which school he plans to attend

Sam Donahue left the event as one of the best shooters in the building; Donahue missed few shots, as he was red hot from the three-point arc. The downtown sniper used the one dribble pull-up to create space, which often freed up his teammates for wide open shoots.

2014 Standouts

Jared Terrell, showed why he is being recruited heavily as one of the best (SG) in the country, Terrell scored in all shapes and fashions. Pull up jumpers, three pointers from all over the court, as well as his continued growth of athleticism by finishing with loud dunks. Terrell looks to have added more muscle to his already college ready body.

Elijah Rogers has been playing with a chip on his shoulder for the past few events that we have seen him in. Rogers has gain more athleticism to go along with his consistent attacking style, Rogers plays hard on both ends of the floor. Needs to develop a solid mid range game to continue being a threat.

Paschal Chukwu, played to a different beat then he usually does, challenged all shots at the rim, as well as changed shots. Has started to develop a consistent right hand jump hook, which looks to be his go to move at times.

Abdul Malik Abu, Once again proved that he belongs in the conversation as one of the top 50 players in the 2014 class. Abu mixed it up today and gave us a preview of his step out three point game. Abu made more then eight three pointers throughout 5 on 5 play. Not to mention his fearless loud dunks in traffic, Abu has great upper body strength, which allows him to score through contact; a go two move or two would help him scratch his potential.

Bonzie Colson showed his toughness while playing against bigger defenders, has a great feel for the game as he uses the rim to feed off the shot blocker. What he lacks in size is equaled off by the size of his heart, never one to back down his upside looks great.

Damion Smith the do it all guard, scored rebounded and assisted on half of his teams points, we like to call him the “Junk yard Dog” as he has a great nose for the ball and plays hard from start to finish. Has to strengthen his ball handling skills along with his jump shot which has looked better lately.

2015 Standouts

Bruce Brown, Showed why he has been declared the next one, showed high level athletic moves. With a developed jump shot Brown will be a name to remember.

Terrance Mann has a great IQ for the game, both offensively and defensively Mann has the tools to become a high major prospect. Strength is a concern at a young age; Mann has to be able to finish through the contact, a younger Gerard Coleman.

This past weekend Tufts University was host to the 2012 Boston Shootout. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the event and a number of the nations future bright stars. Teams that participated in the event were BABC(MA), Albany City Rocks (NY), Middlesex Magic (MA), CT Select, NE Playaz, East Coast Elite (CT), MB Nation(ME), The City (NY),USAD(CT) Eric Gordon All-Stars (IN), and Mass Rivals. BABC came away winners in the 15u, 16u, and 17u division but is was no easy task.

BABC 15U dominated their division including a blow out win against Albany City Rocks. The strength and athleticsm of Terrance Mann, Bruce Brown and Marcel Pettway appeared to be a bit much to handle for any team in that age group. Brown and Mann kept the game entertaining as it seemed like everytime they touched the ball and made a play towards the basket it ended up being a Sportscenter hightlight. The of the weekend came from Bruce Brown as he flew over a East Coast Elite defender for a 1 hand slam(Video Can Be Seen Below).

BABC 16u match up against City(NY) had to of been arguably the best game of the scheduled event as it came down to the wire. Damian Smith(BABC) and Miachael Williams(City) started off hitting consecutive baskets for their teams as many predicted from the start would end up being decided in the last possesion. City(NY) took a bad blow when Donovan Mitchell went down with a ankle injury before the end of the 1st half. The outside shooting of Michael Williams kept City lead through most of the 1st half. But once BABC started to go inside and feed Bonzie Colson he ate on the boards and made everything around the basket. A Tyree Robinson tip in at the sound of the buzzer put BABC up by 2 going into halftime. The 2nd half belonged to Josh Wallace of City(NY) as the young wing player did everything from knocking down the pull up jumper, grabbing rebounds and defending in the post. BABC proved to be to much at the end of the day as they pulled away in the final minutes of the game securing a 5 point win against City(NY).

The 17u matchup between BABC and Albany City Rocks(NY) was a familiar tune as these two teams meet on the Nike EYBL circuit. Tyrese Hoxter Darien Fernandez were the Co-MVP’s of this game as they jumped out into passing causing multiple turnovers and showing great leadership. Hoxter had a number of above the rim dunks to lead BABC to a 64-51 win over City Rocks(NY)

Notable Top Performers:

’15 Aaron Falzon(NE Playaz) – The 6’7 forward is now considered a dual threat. This weekend we saw Falzon score most of his points in the paint. Something we haven’t seen much of as he’s kbnown for his great perimeter shooting.

’15 Bruce Brown(BABC) – Mr. Sportscenter is the next to blow in the BABC program. He showed a aggresive attack to basket punishing defenders at the rim for trying to contest his shots. (See Dunk Below)

’15 Terrence Mann(BABC) – Mann is beginning to come into his own. As of right now hes a slasher but is starting to show confidence in his shot on the perimeter.

’15 Marcel Pettway(BABC) – The ultra big low post presence is to much to handle for most big men in his age group. Pettway has great foot work and can also defend on the perimeter.

’15 Jared Reuter(NE Playaz) – Can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot on the drive. Reuter finishes with contact and converts everything into a old fashion 3 point play.

’14 Kerem Kanter(NE Playaz) – Kanter finishes everything around the rim. Has great hands and loves to finish with the baby hook. Once his defensive intensity matches his offense then he’ll be close to unstoppable.

’13 Tyrese Hoxter and Darien Fernandez(BABC) – Hoxter showed a great handle for the ball as he will be asked to do so next year for Charlestown. Was a vocal leader on defense and offense. Fernandez finished above the rim and was a pest on D causing multiple turnovers.

’14 Damion Smith(BABC) – A talented all around athlete who makes every shot look good when leaving his hands and a exceptional rebounding guard.

’15 Tyree Robinson(BABC) – The human highlight reel as we like to call him as he finishes everything with two hands above the rim whether there is a defender in the lane or not. Also a good shoot blocker for a small forward.

’14 Bonzie Colson(BABC) – Similar to Kanter, Colson has great has and almost finishes everything at the rim. But at this stage of the game Colson is a better rebounder.

’15 Johnny Joseph(BABC) – The lead guard is a wizard with the ball in his hands and is the engine that makes the team go. Has an incredible motor and love for the game that most playes don’t have at this age. Joseph never wants to come out of the game and almost picks apart defenses single handily.

‘ 14 Tyler Nelson(BABC) – When BABC needed a big shot Nelson was their for the calling. Knocking down outside shots to always keep BABC close during crunch time.

’13 Rene Castro – Continued to run the show for BABC and put up the best offensive performance of the weekend scoring 41pts in a contest against USAD(CT). In a game where BABC was short handed and was forced to play 4 on 5 and pulled off the win.

Eric Paschall, Donovan Mitchell and Michael Williams(City NY) – a group of 2015-’16 guards that have have basketball IQ ahead of their class. Paschall is 6’4 and plays on the block but stepped out a few times to knock down the 3. Also finishing for multiple above the rim plays through traffic. He has the making of a very promising prospect. Mitchell who is finishing up his 8th grade year has a developed body and game of someone already at the prep level. Mitchell has great perimeter game and is a floor general at his young age that always keepes the defense on their toes. The city of NY is calling him the next best prospect to come out of there. Michael Williams is a knock down shooter who can not be left open. Even if Williams is not open his ball handling finds a way for him to create space to make it seem like he’s open most of the time.

’13 Isaiah Lewis(NE Playaz) – The New York guard has a knack for the putting the ball in the basket. When nothing was falling for the Playaz you can count on Lewis to create something.

’13 Zakarie Irvin (Eric Gordon All Stars) – The Michigan commit is a wing player but was forced to run the point as his team as short handed. Irvin is a good catch for the Wolveriens, the transition into the point guard role wasn’t a bad one for it was hatrd to tell that it wasn’t his natural position. A prospect that can hit the outside jumper and uses his length to grab rebounds on the offensive glass or second chance points.

’14 Dimitri Floras(MA Rivals) – Continues to impress throught the spring AAU season. Floras has a quick dribble drive move that he fishes with a tear drop in the lane. His outside extends beyond the college 3 point line. Would like to see Floras turn it up on D.

’14 Josh Sharma (MA Rivals) – The 6’10 center has also improved throught out the spring starting to be a great finisher around the basket. Sharma is exceptional on the defensive end altering shots and being quick his to clear out players on the block for a rebound.

’14 Matt Barr – A fierce shooter from outside. Plays on the wing and is a bit undersized. Would need to transition his game into the point guard role to be effective at the next level.

’13 Shadell Millinghaus – The guard was a complete blur to whoever was defending him. A super sthletic prospect that ran the point for his team but is a 6’2 combo guard that just does everything you ask.

Damion Smith grew up in bromely heath project development located in the heart of Roxbury Ma, a well known inner-city (project) that has seen its share of violence. Known to some as ghetto but to Damion it was home, and has been since October 22 of 1995.

A product of a single parent household, Damion always knew he had to be special in order to have a chance of moving his family out of there current situation.

“I wasnt even living in a full house with really no money but I guess it was life” states Damion on his conditions of living in the project development.

“When I was about 12 or 13 my older brother (Malik Smith) went off to prep school Notre Damn Academy so I had to be the man of the house because our dads was nowhere to be found” Usually times like this you would read how a kid turned to the streets because they had no choice. Not the case in this story when times got tough Damion fought back, he fought back through sports. He was introduced to football and quickley became a star while playing pop Warner, he excelled so much on the grid iron he willed his team to the pop warner Superbowl in Orlando Florida.

Damion also played basketball, he was strong smart and athletic for his age and dominated all throughout his middle school playing days. “Freshman year at West Roxbury wasn’t really good I didn’t do as good as I would have liked” states Smith on how his freashmen year at West Roxbury High school went.

The summer of 2011 Damion joined the famed BABC program, a basketball club that has produced numerous NBA as well as college basketball players. Damion at this point traded in his cleats for a pair of nike’s and didnt have any plans on looking back. He traveled the AAU circuit racking up win after win with his BABC team, capturing the 9th grade AAU National Championship where Damion averaged over 25 pts throughout the national event held in Little Rock Arkansas.

Faced with a tough decision academically Damion had to become a young man fast, with the guidance of coach Eggie McRae along with Smith’s family, smith enrolled into La Lumiere School (IN) a highly touted prep school. Smith was accepted into the school under the condition that he would play two sports, his sport of choice was football. The cleats where removed from the closet and Damion was back on the grid-iron ready to make his mark in the state of Indiana.

Damion impressed the coaches so much that he was playing Quarterback and wide receiver, this all from a sophomore in high school. Smith went on to score more then 25 touchdowns for the season and has raised interest from more then 12 high major football programs.

Now with basketball season around the corner Smith will test his talent againt bigger and strong players on a national level.

If anyone can accept the challenge it would be smith, “I’m a survivor I have seen it all growing up, from close friends being murdered to having to warm my house up using the stove”

Smith is destined to become a successful athlete, whether its on the court or the grid-iron you will remember his name Damion Smith.